Gastown heritage building to be restored, new rental homes and retail added

An upcoming project in Gastown near East Hastings and Carrall will see a heritage building in poor condition restored, and the addition of 38 new rental homes.

Millennium Group and Human Studio Architecture + Urban Design have applied to the city to restore the two-storey McConnell building at 325 Carrall Street, next to Pigeon Park. It was built in 1889 and was originally home to the Vancouver Drug Company, and the Vancouver Tea and Coffee Company.

The development will see the original design of the historic storefront restored.

The McConnell Building when it was home to the Van Tea & Coffee Co. Credit: Millennium Group/Human Studio Architecture + Urban DesignThe McConnell Building in its current state, and the proposed heritage restoration. Credit: Millennium Group/Human Studio Architecture + Urban Design

A three-storey addition is proposed on top of the McConnell building, and a seven-storey infill building is proposed for the adjacent lot between the McConnell building and the Merchants Bank building at 1 West Hastings.

The rental homes will be a mix of micro (average of 277 square feet), studios, one bed and live work units. There will be retail units on the ground floor.

No new parking will be added, but 31 bicycle parking stalls (some of which are bike lockers) will be provided.

Rendering of the redevelopment of 325 Carrall Street, showing a seven-storey infill building, and an addition on top of the restored heritage building. Credit: Millennium Group/Human Studio Architecture + Urban DesignRendering of the redevelopment of 325 Carrall Street, showing a seven-storey infill building, and an addition on top of the restored heritage building. Credit: Millennium Group/Human Studio Architecture + Urban Design